hybrid-graphics-linux team mailing list archive

[Dan Borkowski <dan@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Nuno

I will readily admit that I semi-blindly bought my Samsung QX410
assuming that the NVIDIA drivers would work under Linux.  When I first
encountered difficulty starting X, I went to NVIDIA's site
(http://www.nvidia.com/object/linux-display-amd64-260.19.29-driver.html)
to verify compatibility with my card.  Sure enough my 310M "is
supported".  Realistically, we all know it doesn't work, as I
discovered in subsequent Google searches.  Anyway, my point is, that
it could be very easy for someone to belive that the binary blobs will
work, since the manufacturer's site "confirms" this "fact".

dborkowski@obiwan ~ $ sudo lspci | egrep 'VGA|3D'
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Core Processor
Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 02)
01:00.0 3D controller: nVidia Corporation GT218 [GeForce 310M] (rev ff)
dborkowski@obiwan ~ $






On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 6:39 AM, Albert Vilella <avilella@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I've edited the text in the
> https://launchpad.net/~hybrid-graphics-linux page to better reflect
> the current status:
> ---------------
> STATUS:
> There is support for most ATI/Intel hybrid configurations via the
> vga_switcheroo code and open-source graphics drivers (2.6.35 onwards).
>
> There is ongoing work to support Nvidia Optimus/Intel hybrid
> configurations for nouveau drivers:
> http://airlied.livejournal.com/74176.html
>
> Switching for Nvidia/Intel configurations via a reboot can be achieved
> for specific laptop models / BIOS versions. The acpi_call module helps
> in switching off the discrete graphics card while Linux loads through
> the Intel chipset. Only specific laptop models are able to switch to
> pre-Windows7 "compatible" BIOS mode so that the OS can see the nvidia
> graphics card. This is the only way to load the nvidia binary drivers
> so far.
> ------
>
> Maybe we could go through the mailing list and take note of the
> laptops that can have the nvidia binary drivers working. I know the
> latest Asus U30, U33, U43, U53 models  can do that, using the
> "compatible" BIOS option, and the Sony Vaio z-series models have a
> similar system, but there are more models out there that have this
> pre-Windows7 mode.
>
> Comments?
>
> On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 12:31 PM, Nuno Lourenco <nlourenz@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> And it is, on Nvidia foruns:
>> http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=2183477#post2183477
>> "We have no plans to support Optimus on Linux at this time."
>> Besides, a quick google about it will show a lot of people talking about the lack of optimus suport on linux, even on linux distributions specific foruns and Wikis.
>>
>> Optimus is very "new", and developing is being made to try to suport Optimus on linux, but that require a lot of changes, even on XOrg.
>> I think the true problem is people buying these laptops (or whatever) running optimus, and assuming that it will work on linux because the great drivers for other GPUs. A quick check on nvidia drivers would show that it is not true. But most people prefer to ask on a forum or a mailing list and save the "work" to use a search engine to find the answer.
>> But yes, maybe someone with access may put that message somewhere relative to this mailing list :) that would save a lot of emails about it I guess.
>>
>>
>> On Mon, Dec 20, 2010 at 12:17 PM, Michal Kottman <k0mpjut0r@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>
>>> On Mon, 2010-12-20 at 10:14 +0000, Nuno Lourenco wrote:
>>> > Hi David,
>>> >
>>> > It is simple as this. You don't.... Until now, as far I know, there is
>>> > no way to use the Nvidia GPU on 1215n (or any other similar Optimus
>>> > platform) on anything else but Windows 7.
>>> >
>>> > Other thing, as far as I noticed you are reading badly
>>> > the /proc/acpi/battery/BAT0/state, if you see it well, you are
>>> > "charging" the laptop, the increase of mA that you see is actually the
>>> > "charging rate", if it increased that means that is working Ok :)
>>> > Because it is waisting less energy so it is able to charge quicker,
>>> > got it? :)
>>>
>>> Perhaps it should be stated somewhere more obviously (maybe in big
>>> letters? :) that Optimus doesn't work. Maybe something like this:
>>>
>>> "Optimus does not work on Linux (yet). Meanwhile, you can save the
>>> battery by using acpi_call to turn your (unused) discrete GPU off."
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>>
>
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>